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You could have the sweetest vinyl collection, but it won’t do you much good without a reliable turntable to play them on. Your turntable and its needle (like our best overall pick, the Fluance RT85) are arguably the most critical components in your analog sound system, translating the grooves of a record into an audio signal. Even if you have a quality amplifier or receiver and excellent speakers further down your sound system’s signal chain, they’ll only serve to accurately reproduce a subpar signal if you’re using a low-quality source. With that in mind, we’re recommending a selection of the best turntables under $500 here that you can feel assured will translate those grooves so that your system plays the music the way it was intended to sound.
How we selected the best turntables under $500
The best turntables under $500 offer a vast array of options, ranging from cheap beginner models to uber-expensive devices built for audiophiles. Here, we chose to focus on what you might characterize as the lower midrange of the market. We capped the prices at around $500 because you can get an excellent model to provide the foundation for your sound system. And while that mark may not sound budget, it’s still relatively low compared to the $1,000 and higher turntables in the hard-core audiophile market. We also left out sub-$100 turntables to keep the quality level at the bottom of the list in a respectable place. We considered dozens of models, relying on personal experience and spec comparisons, peer recommendations, user feedback, and trusted editorial reviews to narrow our list of record players we’d love to plug into some turntable-friendly speakers.
The best turntables under $500: Reviews & Choice
Once you understand the differences between different turntable types and features and you factor those in with your budget, making a turntable selection shouldn’t be too difficult. We hope our list of the best turntables under $500 will simplify your decision-making process.
Best overall: Fluance RT85
Why it made the cut: The RT85 offers excellent design, build quality, components, and sound. It’s a deal at this price.
Specs
- Turntable operation: Semi-automatic
- Cartridge Type/Model: Moving magnet/Ortofon: 2M Blue
- Phono preamp: No
- Speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Drive Method: Belt
Pros
- “Reference-quality” sound
- Heavy-duty plinth and platter keep vibrations at bay
- Nude-diamond cartridge for accurate pickup
Cons
- Requires some assembly
- Larger and heavier than average
Our top pick comes in right under the cutoff for the best turntables under $500, and it’s worth every penny. The RT85 is an example of Fluance’s talent for designing and building gear that can go toe-to-toe with higher-priced models from its competitors. Available in white, walnut, and bamboo finishes, it looks expensive. More importantly, though, it sounds fantastic, particularly when paired with other quality components. Bigger and heavier than your average turntable, its MDF wooden plinth features three large, adjustable rubber feet, which, along with the weight and density of the plinth, help limit external vibrations. Fluance outfitted the two-speed, belt-driven unit with a heavy, translucent acrylic platter. Its mass and density help keep the speed consistent.
Like most high-quality turntables, the RT85 doesn’t have a built-in preamp. You’ll need to pair it with an outboard phono preamp or a receiver with a phono input. But the results are worth it. Its Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge features a “nude” diamond stylus for the most accurate tracking. The RT85 offers clear sound, a wide stereo image, and a whisper-quiet operation. Our reviewer used the term “reference experience” to describe listening to records on the RT85, and you can read more comprehensive hands-on impressions of its features, sound, and user experience.
Best Bluetooth: Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB
Why it made the cut: The AT-LP120XBT-USB offers excellent Bluetooth implementation, A/D conversion to USB, and line and phono analog outputs.
Specs
- Turntable operation: Manual
- Cartridge Type/Model: Dual moving magnet/Audio-Technica AT-VM95e
- Phono preamp: Yes
- Speeds: 33-1/3, 45, and 78RPM
- Drive Method: Direct
Pros
- Digital and analog connection options
- USB port for copying albums
- Line or phono analog outputs
Cons
- Dust cover vulnerable to scratches
The AT-LP120XBT-USB is compatible with virtually any music system, thanks to its variety of outputs, both digital and analog. On the digital side, you can pair the unit with Bluetooth speakers, allowing you to enjoy your music wirelessly. Listeners can also use the USB port for copying your albums digitally to a computer. In the analog domain, the built-in preamp allows you to connect the turntable to line-level inputs on a preamp or receiver. You can also bypass the preamp to connect to an external unit. Thanks to its multiplicity of output types, the AT-LP120XBT-USB is a turntable you can hold onto for a long time, even if you completely change the sound system around it.
More dusty than digital? The AT-LP120XBT-USB will appeal to music listeners and entry-level DJs. Not only is its vibe reminiscent of classic DJ turntables (think the Technics SL-1200mk7), but it’s also got many of the features DJs want, such as a quartz-controlled +/-10% pitch control, a start/stop button, stroboscopic platter, and a direct-drive design.
If you’re more concerned with budget than rocking beats, Audio-Technica also offers a more affordable belt-driven Bluetooth option, the AT-LP60XBT-BK. But if it’s the best value you want, you’d be hard-pressed to find better connectivity among the best turntables under $500 than what’s offered by the AT-LP120XBT-USB.
Best portable: Audio-Technica AT-SB727 Sound Burger
Why it made the cut: Whether it’s on your bookshelf or a picnic bench, this playful platter has the turntable history and modern features to make any vinyl lover’s mouth water.
Specs
- Turntable operation: Manual
- Cartridge Type/Model: VM
- Phono preamp: No
- Speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Drive Method: Belt drive
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity
- A great piece of record history
- Compact
Cons
- Tonearm fixing screw is easy to lose
- Requires a flat surface to use
It’s Audio-Technica again, but this time, instead of a tabletop model that packs in the latest connectivity, it’s a refreshed classic made for portability. If a typical turntable design bores you, or you’re looking for something that lets you take your records for a spin without weighing you down, consider the Audio-Technica AT-SB727 Sound Burger. First released in 1983, the Sound Burger—originally called “Mister Disc” in the US—was made for on-the-go analog enjoyers. A Walkman for LPs, so to speak, it was battery-operated and came with a pair of foldable headphones. It was brought back in 2022 with upgrades to celebrate Audio-Technica’s 60th anniversary and a limited run of 7,000 red units quickly sold out. One year later, the company announced that the retro-modern disc player would permanently return to AT’s turntable line-up, available in Black or Yellow for $199.
Instead of a battery bay and foldaway headphones, the Sound Burger now comes with a USB-C charging cable and Bluetooth connectivity—so consider a portable speaker. It also includes a 3.5mm male to dual RCA male audio cable in case you want to connect your nice speakers. Regardless of your preferred transducer choice, you will need a pair of external speakers for it to work. And it can work. The clamshell contraption will spin 33-1/3 & 45 RPM records for 12 hours on a full charge and includes a handle to take it anywhere to sandwich some colored vinyl while you enjoy a flavorful sub. It has a belt-drive system and DC motor for stable rotation, although you do have to keep it on a flat surface. Sadly, that means it’s more suited for a picnic table than on the grass. And, just like the original, you can connect headphones to enjoy the music for yourself. I love owning something that’s a conversation starter, a decor piece, and an object that just plain works. However, the tonearm fixing screw, which keeps the tonearm in place while you’re in transit
